Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Musa was killed by security forces in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Musa, a Pakistani terrorist wanted in the Pahalgam terror attack.

In Jammu and Kashmir, security forces killed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Musa in an encounter.

A top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander was killed in an encounter that continued late Tuesday night in the Yusmarg area of ​​central Kashmir. He was a wanted terrorist in the Pahalgam attack. Security forces have identified the slain terrorist as Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Musa. He was also known locally as Suleman Shah alias Fauji Musa.

His body and munitions were recovered during a search of the Palmedan area on Wednesday morning. Security forces suspect three more terrorists are hiding in the area. A cordon and search operation is underway.

The operation began on intelligence information

The Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the CRPF launched a joint search operation late Tuesday night in the Korag area of ​​Yusmarg, acting on intelligence. During the operation, security forces observed suspicious activity. When the troops challenged the terrorists, they opened fire. A fierce exchange of fire ensued between the security forces and the terrorists, in which Musa was killed.

The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps also confirmed Musa's death. According to the Chinar Corps, the body of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Musa was recovered along with warlike material during a search in the Palmedan area on Wednesday morning.

The entire night's operation in the dense forests

Security forces have cordoned off the entire area. Given the dense forest and mountainous terrain, soldiers are proceeding with the operation with extreme caution. Security forces are attempting to block any possible escape routes for the terrorists. Due to the suspected presence of three other terrorists, the search operation is ongoing and is expected to be intensified on Wednesday morning.

Musa was a dreaded terrorist, had infiltrated in 2022

According to security sources, Musa entered the Kashmir Valley through infiltration in 2022. He subsequently established his network in the region. Information has also emerged about his involvement in terrorist activities on both sides of the Pir Panjal and his role in recruiting youth into terrorist organizations. Security sources also stated that he served as a commando in Pakistan's Special Service Group (SSG) before joining Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Hashim Musa was also wanted in the Pahalgam attack.

Hashim Musa was among the prime suspects in the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists. Following the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police announced a reward of ₹2 million (2 million rupees) for information leading to the arrest of Pakistani nationals and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists Adil Hussain Thokar, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a 1,597-page charge sheet against seven accused in the Pahalgam terror attack case. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and its alias, The Resistance Front (TRF), were also named as accused. Both are banned terrorist organizations. The NIA charge sheet detailed the role of a Pakistan-linked network in the planning, preparation, and execution of the attack. Pakistan-based terrorist handler Sajid Jatt has also been named as an accused in the case.

Lashkar terrorist was also killed in Yusmarg earlier

Security forces previously killed Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Yasir in an encounter in the Yusmarg area on September 4-5. Following that encounter, security forces suspected one of his associates was hiding in the forest. According to reports, the associate was identified as Asif Fauji alias Musa. A massive search operation was subsequently launched in the high-altitude forests of Yusmarg.

Operation against terrorists intensifies in Pir Panjal

Security agencies have intensified operations against foreign terrorists operating in the dense forests of Pir Panjal over the past two months. Yasin, who was killed in the September 4-5 encounter, was linked to attacks on security forces in Poonch between 2021 and 2024. According to security officials, Yasin and his associates had been under surveillance for a long time. Following repeated operations, information emerged that they were moving towards the forests of Pir Panjal